BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Buffalo Sabres defenseman Alexei Zhitnik,
who wants to be paid $2 million per season, said Tuesday he would rather
be traded than sign for less money.
Zhitnik, one of three veteran not in training camp with the Sabres,
has been a free agent since last season. Buffalo has the right to match
any offer from another team.
"If they want to keep me here, they have to pay me," Zhitnik
said. "If not, I will ask for permission to go to another team. If I stay,
fine. If they trade me, that's fine, too. But I don't want to sit here."
Zhitnik is looking for a three-year deal worth $6 million. The
Sabres' last offer was for $1.6 million per season. Zhitnik's agent, Ron
Salcer, spoke with Sabres vice president Kevin Billet on Monday, but the
two sides were still far apart on an agreement. Salcer described the talks
as cordial.
"He wants to play in Buffalo," Salcer said. "But if he can't
be compensated for what the market value is in the National Hockey League,
he'll go somewhere else."
Neither Billet nor Sabres general manager Darcy Regier returned
telephone calls Tuesday seeking comment.
Zhitnik, 25, had his best all-around season last year. He had
been criticized for not being sound defensively throughout his five-year
career, but he became one of Buffalo's better defensive players in 1996.
The speedy defenseman, who had seven goals and 28 assists last
year, worked his way into a role killing penalties and was among the NHL's
top 20 defenseman in minutes played. With the departure of veteran Garry
Galley, he expected to carry a bigger load this season.
"It's nothing personal," Zhitnik said. "We have a great group
of guys here. I like playing here, I like living here, but this is business."
Zhitnik skated Tuesday at one of the Sabres' former practice
facilities while his teammates continued training camp. Zhitnik worked
out with a group that included holdout Michael Peca and star center Pat
LaFontaine.
Peca, 23, given the Selke Trophy as the top defensive forward
last year, has been looking for a contract that will pay him at least $1
million a season. He pulled a four-year proposal from the table last week
after Buffalo made a four-year offer for much less money.
"We haven't heard from hem," Peca said. "They must have more
important things to do. All I know is that they keep forcing the same offer.
I just sit here and wait."
LaFontaine is still waiting to hear from the team regarding his
status after he sustained a serious concussion last season. He was cleared
by his own doctors, but not by the Sabres. He cannot join the team until
the team's medical staff gives him clearance.